A stokes basket is an important piece of rescue equipment used by first responders everywhere. According to Fireengineering.com, this life saving device is used to “both immobilize as well as transport a victim over terrain.”
In February, the Huntington Harbormaster received a stokes basket that was donated by Greater Huntington Council of Yachting and Boating Clubs (GHCYBC).
“We sincerely appreciate the GHCYBC’s donation of this water rescue device, which complements safety upgrades implemented on our waterways, at our Town marinas and to our response fleet during this administration,” said Town Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci.
Town Councilman Ed Smyth sponsored a resolution directing the Department of Maritime Services to purchase two additional stokes baskets at a February Town Board meeting.
He was appreciative of the gift.
“We are very grateful to the GHCYBC for donating this stokes basket,” Smyth said. “Now, each of the town’s three rescue boats has a new basket. We hope they never get used.”
The GHCYBC used proceeds from their Safe Boating Week events to purchase and donate the new Stokes Basket to the Town.
“This device is a critical piece of equipment for retrieving an injured person in the water, and ultimately transferring them to an ambulance,” said Ed Carr, Commodore of the Greater Huntington Council of Yachting and Boating Clubs.
The offer to donate the basket was formerly accepted by the town board in November 2020. The equipment will be used by the Department of Maritime Services on its M-1 response vessel to aid in the rescue of boaters in and around Huntington waterways.